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墨書 Inktalez
"Not at all, Mother," Fu Lianyin looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, and sniffed, "It's Master, he wants to take a concubine..."
Wanmian looked at her with pleading expectation. Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Is that all? I thought it was something serious." After a brief pause, Zhou's smile faded. "Third Madam, as the legitimate wife of the Third House, you should know how the 'Seven Out' is clearly stipulated. It is only natural for Master to take a concubine; what is there to feel upset about?"
"But, Mother—" Fu Lianyin did not expect Zhou would use 'Seven Out' to 'comfort' her. She was momentarily speechless and realized she might have placed her hopes in the wrong person. "Consort, I just worry that Master’s heart will no longer be with me..."
"What do you mean by that?" Zhou asked knowingly. "Taking a concubine is one thing; you remain the legitimate wife of the Third House. What is there to be anxious about?"
"That's not it, Mother," Fu Lianyin fidgeted, her mouth opening and closing awkwardly before she finally said, "At this point, Consort won’t hide anything from you. Master... hasn’t stepped into my room for quite some time now. If he takes a concubine, I fear he will never look at me again." Fu Lianyin covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and sobbed softly.
Zhou narrowed her eyes: she had heard Seventh Young Lady mention this matter at Haitang Pavilion and had been half in doubt. Now seeing Fu Lianyin's aggrieved expression, it seemed highly likely to be true.
"Has Yang not entered your room for a long time?" Zhou repeated softly. "Why is that?"
"Consort, I don’t know why," Fu Lianyin looked at Zhou in confusion, her tone and expression devoid of the previous arrogance. "Master suddenly doesn’t want me anymore," she paused and suddenly raised her voice in panic, "Mother, is it because I can no longer bear children that he despises me?"
"Absurd!" Zhou interrupted without hesitation, casting a glance at Fu Lianyin. "Do you think Yang is someone who easily tires of old affections? I believe he is considering taking a concubine due to the Third House having no children..."
Zhou subtly changed the subject.
"Well, Consort knows this too," Fu Lianyin wiped away the dry tear stains at the corners of her eyes and sighed. "It’s all my fault for being weak and unable to provide 'branches and leaves' for the Third House. If Master has thoughts of taking a concubine because of offspring issues, as his legitimate wife, I would certainly support and arrange it. But the problem is now—now—"
Fu Lianyin struggled to articulate what she found so shameful: as the legitimate wife already left alone in an empty chamber, she had already attracted whispers from the servants in the residence. If another concubine were to take away his affection later on, it would undoubtedly undermine her authority and standing in the Third House; this was the root of her fears.
Zhou had spent many years in the grand residence, watching her hair turn from black to white; she could see through a woman's thoughts at a glance—
"Third Madam, I think Yang is simply too busy with court affairs to pay attention to you," Zhou said lightly. "Or perhaps there are some conflicts between you two, but I believe these are only temporary; they will pass in time. Isn’t there a saying that goes 'quarrels at the head of the bed are reconciled at its foot'? Don’t worry; after all, you are husband and wife; Yang wouldn’t go that far."
Fu Family lowered her head, biting her lip, a hint of shame and resentment flickering in her phoenix eyes: No matter how busy he was in the past, his bed always remained in their marital home. Now it had turned into a study; he would rather sleep alone on a hard wooden board than share a bed with her. As for the saying "arguing at the head of the bed and making up at the foot," that was long gone.
“Third Madam, I understand your feelings,” Zhou saw that Fu Family was still troubled and had to say further, “But you know Yang's temper. As the Deputy Minister of Justice, how could he not uphold the law? I believe he would never do something like ‘favoring a concubine over his wife.’”
Only then did Fu Lianyin slowly raise her head, a bitter smile on her lips: “I understand, Mother. The daughter-in-law will remember your words.” She said this, but there were still knots in her heart.
Zhou continued: “Also, don’t forget about Seventh Young Lady. Her importance in Yang’s heart should not be underestimated. As her mother, you should communicate with her; perhaps she can help you.”
A shadow passed over Fu Lianyin's beautiful face as she thought to herself: Hmph, if Seventh Young Lady helps, it would be surprising if she didn’t add insult to injury. But then she recalled how calm Seventh Young Lady had been after Yun Ran exposed the "adoption" matter, as if nothing had happened. Why not test the waters? A strange smile of calculation crept into her eyes.
“Consort, thank you for your guidance,” Fu Lianyin wiped the corners of her eyes again and smiled brightly, “The daughter-in-law knows what to do now…”
In the afternoon twilight, Yun Yun Kexin practiced writing in her boudoir—she hadn’t gone anywhere today, just waiting for Fu Lianyin to come to her for help while holding a brush and listening intently for any sounds.
Sure enough, not long after, Fu Family's voice came: “Eighth Young Lady, come here. Mother is taking you to see Seventh Sister, okay?” The tone was intentionally raised, aiming for Yun Yun Kexin to hear and come out to greet them.
Then they heard Yun Xiao clapping her hands and cheerfully calling out: “Okay, Mother! I want to see Seventh Sister. Let’s go quickly!”
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Yun Yun Kexin's lips: In this situation, Fu Family would definitely not "let go" of Yun Xiao.
When they reached the door of the boudoir, Fu Lianyin did not see Seventh Young Lady come out to greet them. Curious, she stepped over the threshold and peeked inside, seeing her writing at the desk without raising her head. Feeling displeased but having to initiate conversation, she said:
“So it turns out Xin'er is practicing writing. So focused and serious; no wonder Mother called you outside for so long without you hearing... Seventh Young Lady, look who has come.”
Only then did Yun Yun Kexin raise her eyes and feign surprise: “Mother, why are you here? Grandmother asked me to finish copying this scripture before returning it to her. I was too engrossed, so—”
“It’s alright; Mother just came to see you,” Fu Lianyin smiled and then turned to coax Yun Xiao: “Xiao'er is playing here; don’t disturb your sister.”
While saying this, she was also thinking about how best to start the conversation.
"Alright," Yun Xiao slid down from Fu Lianyin's arms, circled around the Incense Table, and staggered toward Yun Kexin. "Seventh Sister, teach Xiao Er how to write."
"Okay." Yun Kexin took Yun Xiao's hand and lifted her onto her lap, teaching her to recognize characters and hold a pen.
Fu Lianyin noticed Yun Kexin's kindness toward Yun Xiao and couldn't help but smirk as if she saw an opportunity. After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, she finally couldn't resist getting straight to the point:
"Seventh Young Lady, I have something to discuss with you."
Yun Kexin raised her eyes and smiled lightly. "Mother, what is it?"
"Kexin, do you know? Your Father is going to take a concubine."
"Father is taking a concubine?" Yun Kexin widened her eyes in surprise. "Why?"
"It's because of your Mother’s frail health," Fu Lianyin sighed. "I can't provide for the Third House's Branching Out and Spreading Leaves, to continue the Succession of Lineage... Kexin, don't blame your Father."
Yun Kexin sneered inwardly: It's you I should resent; why would I blame Third Uncle?
"Mother, don't overthink it. Perhaps Father is taking a concubine because of the Succession of Lineage issue," Yun Kexin comforted her in an understanding tone. "You need to be more considerate."
"How could I not be considerate?" Fu Lianyin lamented like a wronged woman, pausing after each sentence, hoping that Yun Kexin would agree or even help scold a bit. Unexpectedly, she just listened quietly with an expression of 'understanding.' "As the legitimate wife of the Third House, I have the responsibility to allow Master to take a concubine; I only fear it will burden you children." Fu Lianyin's words were practically gritted out.
"Burdened?" Yun Kexin asked in confusion. "Why would we be burdened if Father takes a concubine?"
"Silly child, you don’t understand this?" Fu Lianyin's gentle tone was laced with sarcasm. "Think about it; once your Father takes a concubine, there will be no room left for your Mother in his heart. Once that concubine has a son, where will you girls stand—"
Yun Kexin nearly laughed out loud: If this were my past life, I might have been deceived by Fu Family's pretentiousness and gone to cause trouble for Yun Yang. She recalled how every time Fu Lianyin argued with Yun Yang in her past life, she would always come to complain to Yun Kexin. Often, after hearing just a few words from the Fu Family, she would rush off to confront Yun Yang on behalf of 'Mother,' leading to a quick reconciliation between Yun Yang and Fu Lianyin.
It seemed that the purpose of the Fu Family approaching her was the same; however, this time around, she had no interest in being their 'fire extinguisher' again. But sometimes playing along with their scheme could be interesting!
"Mother, please listen to me," Yun Kexin blinked her eyes and said slowly, "No matter how much Father favors his concubine, it cannot change the fact that you are the legitimate wife. The children born of a concubine are considered illegitimate, while Xiao Sister and I are born of the main wife; how can we be compared? Therefore, Mother, do not worry too much..."
"That's because Seventh Young Lady is still too young," Fu Lianyin often narrowed her phoenix eyes with a hint of mockery, her heart aged despite her youth. "She doesn't understand the cruel competition between the legitimate wife and concubines, as well as the differences between legitimate and illegitimate children in this household. As a mother, I have seen too much."
Yun Kexin pondered: Fu Family's words indicate that the matter of taking a concubine has indeed struck at her soft spot, making her somewhat anxious and even flustered.
"Regardless, Kexin believes Father will not 'favor the concubine and neglect the wife,'" Yun Kexin looked at Fu Lianyin and said calmly, "He certainly won't do anything unreasonable. Mother, you should also trust him..."
Fu Lianyin, who had been staring at a point on the table, lifted her head upon hearing this, as if she had heard a joke, and exclaimed with a laugh, "Trust? Master hasn't stepped into the bedroom for over two months..."
Yun Kexin smiled: Fu Lianyin finally revealed her "concerns"!
Fu Lianyin was momentarily stunned by her own slip of the tongue. When she realized it, she wished she could bite off her own tongue. Fortunately, Seventh Young Lady was only ten years old and should not understand its meaning—she lowered her head, pretending to adjust her sleeves and collar.
"Oh, is that so? No wonder Father has been sleeping in the Study lately," Yun Kexin followed Fu Family's line of thought and pouted innocently, saying, "Mother, don't worry. Kexin will go to him tonight."
Fu Lianyin's heart skipped two or three beats: The goal had been achieved.
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